Chapter Eight -- What do you mean a long time?
Colette's Point of View
I walk out of my childhood bedroom, and head to the kitchen, where Dad definitely is making dinner, but I freeze when I get there, because Dad is in the kitchen, but so is Louis, and they seem to be having a light conversation, with the smiles on their faces, and I feel confused, because I thought Lou left. I am glad he did not, but I am also weary that he is staying, I don't know what to expect.
"Oh, Col, you are here." Dad grins and Lou looks at me, I glare at him, because I am very much pissed at him, he is such an asshole. "Hi, Dad." I smile, and he winks at me, I roll my eyes and walk out of the kitchen, obviously everything is under control, and no one needs me to burn the food, they do that all on their own.
"Colette." Louis calls and I look at him, he speaks to my Dad, who waves him off and takes his position, cooking. Lou walks to me and I hold my breathe "Can we talk?" He whispers and I narrow my gaze, I nod, and walk to my bedroom, feeling as he follow me.
"I'm sorry, Colette." He apologizes when we get to my room and I look at him "Why were you being weird about my Aunt Catherine's picture?" He says nothing and I shake my head, feeling like a fool, I tell him everything about me and he tells me nothing, he keeps me at arms length, he changes the topic every time and he thinks I am oblivious to his trucks, I refuse to be a fool to a man ever again.
"Tell me something worthwhile or get out and never return." I declare and I see the shock in me, he knows I am being serious, so I wait, but he says nothing, I wait some more, and when he still says nothing, I know we can no longer be together, this relationship has to end and we have to go our separate ways.
"Your Aunt Catherine looks like someone I knew, a while ago, and this - this person," He pauses and I watch as he struggles to say something, as he struggles to hold on to me.
"She took something from me, something I have spent a very long time trying to get back. I am sorry about my reaction, but I was shocked, because she - I have spent a long time looking for a way to get something." He tries to make sense and I frown at him "What do you mean a long time? You are only twenty-six. Is this because you have an old soul?"
I am desperate to understand him, but all he does is give me a look, and he says nothing, until he does.
"I'm sorry, Col, I am speaking so much gibberish, and my head aches and my heart feels like it is about to burst out from my ribcage and I feel so guilty for hurting you, I never want to hurt you again. Can you give me another chance?" He whispers and I nod, I can give him a billion more chances, he is Lou, my Lou.
"Okay." I whisper and he rushes to me, he wraps his hand around my body, pulling my close to him, and I hug him tightly. We do not kiss or make out, he just holds me, tightly, like he is trying to make up for what he did, but he does not have too.
We spend the next hour entangled in each other, we spend some time in the bath, and after, we walk out, with smiles on our faces, I can smell the aroma of the meal, but immediately I walk into the living room, my smile falls off.
__
"What is going on?" I frown and they look at me, I stare at Molly, and the toddler in Neil's arm, a child that is four years old and looks just like my ex boyfriend, Xavier.
"Hi, Colette, it is nice to see you again." Molly smiles and I glance at my brother. I don't have any bad blood with Molly, but she is not my friend either, she will always be the woman my boyfriend impregnated, the woman who had an affair with my boyfriend despite knowing he was with him.
"We wanted to tell you, but Molly and I got married, we eloped few months ago, and we live as a family, with Connor." Neil says and I look at Lou, for support or strength, I don't know.
"One second." He says and pulls me to the side, Scar comes with us, and I am just so confused and uncomfortable by the whole ordeal.
"Did you know?" I glare at Scarlett and she shakes her head "If I knew that Xavier's baby mama is married to your brother, I would have told you, immediately. Are you okay, Col?" I exhale, mostly confused.
"Colette." I hear and we turn to see Molly standing there, I stare at her, and I can see how different she now is, her face is clearer, her acne are gone, she has a glow around her, her hair seems clean, she looks happy and I don't know what to make of that.
"I wanted to tell you, but I have been a coward, and I'm sorry about this. I know this looks and seems so freaking weird, but I love your brother. Neil is the love of my life, and I know it is a bit dysfunctional, given our history." She speaks and Scar scoffs "You mean when you slept with her dead boyfriend and got impregnated by him?"
Molly flushes in shame "Yes, that history. I'm sorry, Colette, and I did not plan for this to happen, love blooms in unexpected places and I hope we can at least tolerate each other. I really am sorry." She turns and walks away.
I look at Lou, and he runs his hand through my hair, and I lean further into him, love blooms.